Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has announced a plan to legislate the right to work from home two days a week for those who can reasonably do so, sparking fears among Melbourne businesses of a return to Covid-era economic conditions. The policy, unveiled at Labor's state conference, is seen as a populist move to connect with women and carers, but business groups warn it could devastate the city's struggling CBD.
Allan, who works from her home in Bendigo most Fridays, framed the policy as a fight for workers' rights. 'There are plenty of bosses who will fight us on this,' she said in her conference speech. 'If it's a fight they want, they'll get it.' The backlash from business and property groups was swift, with some warning of a 'Covid wipeout' for Melbourne's economy.
The policy came directly from Allan and her office, with senior ministers only briefed the day before via Zoom. How the state government will legislate this right remains unclear, given Victoria handed its industrial relations powers to the commonwealth years ago. Despite this, the move is politically astute, contrasting sharply with federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton's abandoned plan to force public servants back to the office.
Former senior adviser to ex-premier Daniel Andrews, Jessie McCrone, said the backlash was likely welcomed by the government. 'Good communications is about clarity, authenticity and repetition, and that is what Premier Allan has here,' McCrone said. 'She's picked an issue that has salience and combustibility.' The opposition has so far resisted taking the bait, leaving business groups to lead the criticism.
